9 Enhancements to the Naish Helix Bar
9 Enhancements to the Helix Bar
by Skip Schott, Midwest Naish Team Rider
1. Leash attachment point for self landing the kite. This feature allows the rider to 'flag' the kite and self land even in high winds. I tried it today in 30+ knots and it works great. The '08 leash can be attached to this point but will be fixed since the leash is a spectra loop line.
2. Upgraded spinning triangle. This allows the front lines to unspin after a rotation (back loop / front loop). This large triangle will put more effort on the individual lines to allow the lines to unspin.
3.Smaller neoprene boot over the macro adjustment strap. Naish nailed this one after riders complained about not being able to see where their depower setting was with the black neoprene (Boxer and Shockwave kites) over the adjustment strap.
4. Red / Blue T handles for adjusting the trim strap. Same as the Boxer handles - more beefy than the Shockwave grab rolls that had a tendency to break off.
5. Fifth line depower. Naish adds this kit separately and it is great for trying unhooked moves and losing the bar. The kite depowers like a 5th line kite without the line tangle possibility. The upper red section is a bungee leash attached to the grey flying line that leads through the bar to the red loop. You can attach your leash clip there when trying unhooked moves.
6. Double spectra depower line.
7. Ergonomic grips that taper towards the middle and ends of the bar.
8. Small floats at the bar ends to help float the bar and let the rider know which hand is holding which side of the bar.
9. Multiple adjustment points to tune the outside lines.
Summary - This is a clean bar with many of the standard Naish features (ex. - tapered chicken loop fitting to dovetail into the bar) found in previous bars. 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 conversion now takes less time with the rider only having to remove and reattach the rear lines without having to run them out through the pulley.